Saline-habitat
Guides
Ataenius robustus
saline prairie scarab beetle
Ataenius robustus, commonly known as the saline prairie scarab beetle, is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with recorded occurrences across the central United States. The species belongs to a diverse genus of small scarab beetles, many of which are associated with dung and decomposing organic matter.
Cicindela fulgida fulgida
Crimson Saltflat Tiger Beetle
Cicindela fulgida fulgida is a subspecies of tiger beetle restricted to saline and alkaline habitats in the central and western Great Plains of North America. Adults are active primarily during spring and fall, with larvae constructing distinctive turreted burrows in dry, salt-encrusted soils. The species exhibits strong habitat fidelity to wet, alkaline environments including saline flats and dry alkaline creek beds. Larval burrows feature unique above-ground turret structures thought to function in thermoregulation.
Cicindela tranquebarica
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica, commonly known as the oblique-lined tiger beetle, is a North American tiger beetle species distinguished by its variable coloration ranging from reddish-brown to black to green, with distinct white maculations. Adults measure 11–16 mm in length, with females typically larger than males. The species exhibits notable physiological adaptations including stilting behavior for thermoregulation and tolerance for high temperatures in dry conditions. It has a two-year life cycle with adults active in spring and fall, overwintering in burrows.
Cicindela tranquebarica joaquinensis
San Joaquin Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica joaquinensis is a subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle described in 2007 by Knisley and Haines. It is endemic to California's San Joaquin Valley, where it inhabits saline and alkaline habitats. Like other members of the C. tranquebarica complex, it is a spring-fall active species with adults emerging in fall as sexually immature individuals, overwintering, and re-emerging in spring to mate and oviposit. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by its geographic restriction and specific habitat associations within the Central Valley.
Cicindela tranquebarica kirbyi
Kirby's Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle, Kirby's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica kirbyi is a subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle found in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions of North America. It is a spring-fall species that emerges in fall as sexually immature adults, overwinters in burrows, and becomes active again in spring for mating and oviposition. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate eastern form by broader white maculations on the elytra. It occurs in both saline and dry sandy habitats, showing greater habitat flexibility than many tiger beetle species.
Cicindela tranquebarica vibex
Wealed Tiger Beetle
Cicindela tranquebarica vibex is a subspecies of oblique-lined tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a spring-fall species active during cooler months, spending summer as larvae in soil burrows. Adults are ground-dwelling predators that hunt small invertebrates using rapid pursuit and visual tracking. The subspecies occurs in western North America, where it has been observed in sandy and clay habitats including saline flats and dry creek beds.
Cicindela willistoni echo
Echo Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni echo is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Echo Tiger Beetle. It is found in saline habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Larvae construct distinctive turreted burrows on barren saline flats, a feature shared with other subspecies of C. willistoni. The subspecies exhibits strong habitat fidelity for specific moisture and salinity conditions within salt flat environments.
Cicindela willistoni hirtifrons
Hairy-fronted Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni hirtifrons is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. The subspecies is known for its distinctive larval burrow architecture: larvae construct turreted burrow entrances on barren saline flats, a feature shared with other C. willistoni subspecies including estancia and sulfontis. Adults are associated with saline habitats in the southwestern United States.
Cicindela willistoni praedicta
Augured Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni praedicta is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is one of several tiger beetle taxa inhabiting saline and salt flat habitats in the arid western United States. Adult emergence is triggered by summer monsoonal rains, limiting activity to a brief post-monsoonal period. The subspecies exhibits strong microhabitat fidelity, primarily occupying areas immediately adjacent to water edges in salt lake environments.
Cicindela willistoni pseudosenilis
Owens Lake Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni pseudosenilis is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is known from western North America, particularly associated with saline lake habitats. Adult emergence is triggered by summer monsoonal rains. The subspecies is part of a complex of tiger beetles that exhibit fine-scale habitat partitioning in salt flat environments.
Cicindela willistoni sulphontis
Cicindela willistoni sulphontis is a subspecies of the Williston's tiger beetle, a member of the Cicindelidae family. This tiger beetle is associated with saline and alkali habitats in arid western North America. Adults are active during post-monsoonal periods following summer rains. The subspecies is part of a complex of tiger beetles that exhibit fine-scale habitat partitioning in salt flat environments.
Cicindela willistoni willistoni
Williston's Tiger Beetle
Cicindela willistoni willistoni is a subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to saline and alkali flats in the southwestern United States. Adults and larvae occupy distinct microhabitats within these systems, with adults typically found along the water's edge. Larvae construct unique chimney-like turrets extending 1–4 cm above their burrow entrances, which function primarily for thermoregulation and attracting prey rather than flood prevention. The subspecies exhibits highly specialized habitat requirements and is part of complex habitat partitioning systems where multiple tiger beetle species coexist by occupying different microhabitats.
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica arizonae
Arizona wetsalts tiger beetle
Cicindelidia haemorrhagica arizonae is a subspecies of the wetsalts tiger beetle, a member of the family Cicindelidae. The nominate subspecies C. h. haemorrhagica is known for its remarkable ability to inhabit hot springs environments in Yellowstone National Park, where it tolerates temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F). Adults display the characteristic run-stop-run hunting behavior typical of tiger beetles. The subspecies epithet 'arizonae' suggests a geographic association with Arizona, though specific ecological data for this subspecies is limited.
Craspedolepta suaedae
Craspedolepta suaedae is a psyllid species in the family Aphalaridae, first described by Crawford in 1914. The species is associated with plants in the genus Suaeda (Chenopodiaceae), a salt-tolerant plant group. It is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The genus Craspedolepta is characterized by distinctive wing venation and genitalia morphology.
Eunota circumpicta
cream-edged tiger beetle
Eunota circumpicta, the cream-edged tiger beetle, is a halophilic species native to the United States with a broader range extending south to Brazil. Formerly classified in genera Cicindela and Habroscelimorpha, this species has been reclassified to Eunota based on molecular systematics. Two subspecies are recognized: E. c. circumpicta and E. c. johnsonii (Johnson's tiger beetle). The species is closely related to E. mecocheila, from which it is distinguished by morphological and genetic differences. It inhabits saline flats and coastal areas, showing activity both day and night.
Eunota circumpicta pembina
Pembina Tiger Beetle
Eunota circumpicta pembina is a subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to the Great Plains region of North America. It is closely related to Eunota circumpicta johnsonii (Johnson's tiger beetle), from which it differs in geographic distribution and adult coloration. The subspecies is restricted to a disjunct population in North Dakota, where it occupies saline seep habitats. Adults exhibit blue-green coloration without the reddish or dark morphs found in other populations of the species. The subspecies was formally described by Johnson in 1993 and is considered to have subspecific status based on its geographic isolation and distinctive coloration.
Eunota fulgoris
Eunota fulgoris is a tiger beetle species in the subfamily Cicindelinae, originally described as Cicindela fulgoris by Casey in 1913. The species exhibits striking metallic coloration and is associated with saline or alkaline habitats in the southwestern United States and Mexico. A subspecies, E. fulgoris erronea, is endemic to the Willcox Playa area of Arizona's Sulfur Springs Valley. The species is known for its iridescent appearance, with remarkable iridescence even visible on the legs.
Eunota gabbii
Western Tidal Flat Tiger Beetle
Eunota gabbii, the western tidal flat tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It was formerly classified under the genera Cicindela and Habroscelimorpha before being moved to Eunota. The species is associated with tidal flat and saline habitats in western North America.
Eunota pamphila
Gulfshore Tiger Beetle
Eunota pamphila is a small tiger beetle species primarily associated with coastal salt marsh habitats along the Gulf of Mexico. Formerly classified under Cicindela and Habroscelimorpha, this species was historically considered rare outside its core Texas Gulf Coast range, with only occasional straggler records in adjacent states. A breeding population was documented in Mississippi coastal salt marshes during 2006–2008, establishing the species as a resident rather than vagrant in that region. The species co-occurs with other tiger beetles including Eunota togata, Ellipsoptera hamata, and Habroscelimorpha severa in suitable saline habitats.
Eunota praetextata praetextata
Riparian Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, known from the southwestern United States. This subspecies is part of a complex of saline-adapted tiger beetles in the genus Eunota. The specific epithet 'praetextata' refers to a bordered or fringed appearance, likely describing elytral patterning. The nominate subspecies is distinguished from other subspecies of E. praetextata by its distribution and presumably by subtle morphological differences in elytral maculation.
Hygrotus salinarius
Hygrotus salinarius is a small diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, originally described as Coelambus salinarius by Wallis in 1924. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus commonly associated with saline or alkaline wetlands. Like other members of Dytiscidae, it is an aquatic predator as both larva and adult. Specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Leptoconops
black gnat, no-see-um
Leptoconops is a genus of biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae) commonly known as black gnats or no-see-ums. The genus has a relictual distribution with predominantly tropical and subtropical range, though some species extend to temperate regions including Russia and Canada. Adults are small blood-feeding insects; females are diurnal feeders on vertebrate blood. The genus represents one of the earliest existing lineages of biting midges, with fossil records dating to Cretaceous amber.
Megacephalini
Big-headed Tiger Beetles
Megacephalini is a tribe of tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae) characterized by notably enlarged heads relative to body size. The tribe includes approximately seven described species across at least two genera, with Megacephala and Tetracha being the most prominent. Members are distributed across the Americas, with some species showing strong habitat specialization for saline or alkaline environments. The taxonomy of this group has undergone recent revision, with former subgenera of Tetracha elevated to generic status.
Monoxia
Monoxia is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Galerucinae. The genus contains approximately 16-18 described species distributed in North America and the Neotropics. At least one species, Monoxia obesula, has become invasive in Europe and North Africa. Members of this genus are associated with host plants in the family Amaranthaceae, particularly Atriplex and Chenopodium species.
Prokelisia salina
Prokelisia salina is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Ball in 1902. It belongs to a genus of small, delicate insects commonly known as mealybugs or planthoppers that are associated with grasses and sedges. The species epithet 'salina' suggests an association with saline or salt-affected habitats. Like other delphacids, it possesses a characteristic spur on the hind tibia and feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Protaplonyx sarcobati
Greasewood Leaf Gall
Protaplonyx sarcobati is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, known for inducing galls on leaves of greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus). The species was originally described by Felt in 1914 as Aplonyx sarcobati and later transferred to Protaplonyx. It is documented from limited observations in western North America.
Psilopa obscuripes
Psilopa obscuripes is a small shore fly in the family Ephydridae, described by Loew in 1860. It belongs to a genus of flies commonly associated with saline or mineral-rich aquatic habitats. The species is poorly documented, with minimal published biological information and few verified observations.
Tethina willistoni
Tethina willistoni is a small shore fly in the family Canacidae, a group specialized for coastal and saline habitats. The species has been documented in Brazil (Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo states) and Hawaii, USA. Like other canacids, it is associated with intertidal zones and saline environments. The genus Tethina comprises approximately 40 species worldwide, most occurring in marine littoral habitats.
Trimerotropis salina
Alkali Grasshopper
Trimerotropis salina, commonly known as the alkali grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It was described by McNeill in 1901 and is found in North America. The species is associated with saline or alkaline habitats, as indicated by its specific epithet and common name. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, which is characterized by species with banded wings.